President Trump was elected in 2016 causing an uproar and division in the country like I have never witnessed. One side is so focused on their hatred of this man that they are not even trying to work with him to make or keep this country a wonderful place to live.
Then we have the current pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has literally shut down the world. Not just the United States but just about every place on this earth. If the election didn't cause enough division now we have the virus who is dividing us even more. We have the people who are for the "sheltering-at-home, facemask wearing, social distancing" cause, the "screw this, I will not be told by the government that I elected and that should be working for me, how to live my life and it's all just a lie to turn this country into a communistic state, I will do what I want and with however many people I want" and the "somewhere in the middle" groups of people.
Then we have the current pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that has literally shut down the world. Not just the United States but just about every place on this earth. If the election didn't cause enough division now we have the virus who is dividing us even more. We have the people who are for the "sheltering-at-home, facemask wearing, social distancing" cause, the "screw this, I will not be told by the government that I elected and that should be working for me, how to live my life and it's all just a lie to turn this country into a communistic state, I will do what I want and with however many people I want" and the "somewhere in the middle" groups of people.
And if THOSE weren't enough. We continue to have the racial issues that are happening with the white police and the black citizens. Just yesterday there was another incident of a man who was being "detained" and a video is shown of the man face down on the ground with the knee of the police officer pressing down on the mans neck and the man continually telling the officer that he can't breath. The officer never let up pressure and the man later passed away.
I am the type of person who HATES confrontation. I don't want anyone to not like me and I want to believe that everyone is good until they prove me wrong. The problem with this mentality is that I don't know what "stand" to take.
I don't care for the way President Trump responds to things. I think he needs to censor his words. Not to be politically correct but the bible says that a gentle word turns away wrath. I think that he is a blunt person who forgets to think before he responds. But I do think that he wants the best for this country and that if he had been given the chance, people would see this. He hasn't really had a chance because he's been having to constantly fight the "other side".
With the pandemic. I think the caution at the beginning was needed as we didn't know the extent of the disease or how it would affect people. I think now that we need to be cautious and use common sense and that if you are vulnerable then you should continue to take extra precautions. But I don't think we need to keep everything shut down.
The other night we were at Bible study and someone said that there are people who blindly follow whatever someone tells them to do. Back during the Holocaust people were told to get on a train and they did. They didn't know to fight for their rights. I would probably be like those people. I would probably go along only because I don't want to cause any issues. I don't want to draw attention to myself. I don't want to argue because what if I am challenged and I don't have the right answer? Well, guess what, none of us have all the right answers. But I still hate conflict.
Now the issue with the man who died. First of all, how the police handled this was wrong. Even if the man had or was initially resisting if the person is not able to breath then the officer needs to make an adjustment. Stand him up, get the other officer's just standing there to help hold an arm. Anything but continuing to lean on someones neck. Common sense says that when you are leaning on someones neck you are obstructing airflow. This officer and the others who did not say anything should 100% be held accountable.
There are two issues that I have with the media coverage and the citizens response to this. The first is that the media continues to use racial headlines. Every person on this planet is special. If so many are trying to stop the racial biases then why continue to make color the main issue? I'm not saying that what happened to Mr. Floyd wasn't racially motivated. I wasn't there. I didn't see what happened. But I do wonder if this had been the other way around would there be as much of a cry for justice for the victim then? Of if it had been two people of the same color?
The second part is the protesting. As I have said, justice needs to be done. From what I could see in the video the police officer needs to be held accountable. His actions and the no action of the other officers should and is being addressed. What I don't understand is how getting violent with other police officers during protests help the situation? How is this going to make a difference? The officers have been fired, the FBI is investigating and charges will probably be filed.
I think protesting is fine. I think letting people know that you are with the family, that you believe wrong was done and needs to be looked at is great and is part of our freedoms in this country. But WHY do protesters have to use violence to protest violence? It doesn't make sense to me. And I am not saying this is the only issue where this has happened. Stuff like this happens all the time and it makes no sense to me. It just doesn't accomplish anything except make the situation so much worse.
So there you have it. My weird post on political and life issues that I am afraid to address with anyone but in my blog that no one really reads so it is my "safe" place. :)
If you are reading this than thank you for taking the time. I love this country, I love being an American but I so wish that we could all just stop being so selfish and try to respond to things in the way that the Lord wants us to. With humility and grace. Not with violence and hatred. We all will not agree and that is okay. That's what makes us special. But we all need to do so much better in how we handle things. I hope you take the time to think before you speak, love instead of hate, try to see the other side and stand up for what is right but remember that a soft word turns away wrath.
